It allowed me to pursue interesting topics with my students that I did not have the budget for.

Michael Barondeau Roscoe, SD | 7-12, Science, 2002

Michael Barondeau was a science teacher for 39 years in South Dakota. The last 30 years were at Edmunds Central School teaching eighth grade earth science, ninth grade physical science, biology, advanced biology, chemistry, and physics at this small rural school. Michael has been retired for the last 10 years. Michael graduated from Northern State University with a B.S. in education with a chemistry major and a biology minor. He taught chemistry and CHEMStudy for two years at Huron Senior High School in Huron, SD. Following four years in the US Navy he attended a year of graduate school in chemistry at the University of South Dakota. Michael then taught science at Herreid School District for the next seven years before moving to Edmunds Central School. Michael received the South Dakota Outstanding Physical Science Teacher Award in 1983 from the South Dakota Academy of Science, the NASA Newmast Honors Award in 1987, and participated in the NASA Teacher in Space Program in 1985-86. He served as the treasurer of the South Dakota Science Teachers Association for fourteen years and received their Distinguished Service Award in 1998. In 1994, he was one of 200 Tandy Prize for Excellence in Mathematics, Science, and Computer Science recipients. Michael attended the South Dakota Technology for Teaching and Learning Academy in 1998 and taught summers at this Academy from 2000 to 2002. Michael was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in the science category in 2002. His wife won the same award in 1998, so they were one of two couples so honored at the State Department Dinner in 2003.

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